Although, for many law schools, the “Why Us” essay is optional, according to Hillary Mantis, Assistant Dean of the Pre-Law Advising Program at Fordham, “it doesn’t hurt to show interest.”

She argues that this may be even more important “if it’s a school you are really hoping to attend, especially in a competitive application cycle.”

To read her advice in the National Jurist’s preLaw magazine, see Why Us?